Hi there!
If you’re headed to Bangalore as a part of your South India backpacking trip itinerary, Bangalore can make an easy access point to get to the Kerala backwaters!
Have a look at this one week Kerala itinerary.
You have a few options to get from Bangalore to Kerala: by bus, by train, and by flight.
First, a list of each of the top places to visit to consider making a part of your Kerala itinerary.
Then, a little bit of info on how to get to Kerala from Bangalore:
…along with a suggested route itinerary from your main entry point in Kerala!
If both Goa and Kerala are on your itinerary, Bangalore can also be a good spot to break up the journey.
Also see more about public transportation within Kerala, including taking an Alleppey backwaters ferry in part to Varkala, to Munnar, or to Thekkady. Go for the very Kerala experience to get around Kerala! 😉
Best places to make a part of your Kerala itinerary when backpacking in South India
1. Fort Cochin
Fort Cochin is a cute little area. This is a good place to visit if you’re interested in seeing more of India’s colonial past.
You can also find cultural arts performances here, including the Kathakali classical dance and Kalari martial arts.
It could also be interesting to do some cycling in Cochin.
2. Munnar
Munnar is in the hills of the Western Ghats.
It’s famous for the scenic tea plantations, and you can go for a leisurely tea plantation trek in Munnar.
Or you can also go for a slightly more difficult Meesapulimala Trek up to the second highest peak in Kerala.
3. Alleppey
Alleppey is the hub of the famous Kerala backwaters.
This means that with a visit to here, you’ll find a good variety of options for the best things to do in the backwaters.
The houseboat is one of the most popular experiences on the Kerala backwaters.
More budget-friendly activities include canoe, kayaking, cycling and taking the public ferry.
There’s also Alleppey Beach here for some coastal beach vibes so you can get both the backwaters and the beach.
4. Munroe Island
Munroe Island is another place you go to for the backwaters, and it serves as a quieter alternative to Alleppey.
With a Munroe Island backwaters homestay, you can get good Kerala food, go for a sunrise canoe tour, go cycling around the island, and go for a village walk.
5. Varkala
Varkala is one of the most famous beach towns in Kerala.
Go here for the coastal vibes so you can have every meal on the Varkala cliff overlooking the ocean.
6. Wayanad
Wayanad is another region in the hills of the Western Ghats.
This area is far north compared to the rest of the places listed above that are located in central and south Kerala.
But Wayanad is one of the closest main tourist spots to Bangalore so it can be worth considering this place as your entry point to Kerala.
This is also one of the few places in India where you can see historic rock carvings, with a visit to the Edakkal Caves.
More places to visit in Kerala
If you have time to add more to your itinerary, there’s more to see in Kerala! Have a look at the best places to visit in Kerala.
Now…
How to get to Kerala from Bangalore?!
MAP: Bangalore to Kerala
View this Bangalore to Kerala map on Google maps!
Bangalore to Kerala by bus
- Bangalore to Wayanad – Kalpetta (7-8 hours)
- Bangalore to Cochin – Ernakulam (9-10 hours)
- Bangalore to Alleppey (9-11 hours)
- Bangalore to Munnar (10-13 hours)
Check redbus for specific bus options from Bangalore.
When arriving to Wayanad by bus, consider this route:
- Wayanad
- Cochin
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
When arriving to Cochin by bus, consider this route:
- Fort Cochin
- Munnar
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
When arriving to Alleppey by bus, consider this route:
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
OR
- Alleppey
- Munnar
- Fort Cochin
When arriving to Munnar by bus, consider this route:
- Munnar
- Fort Cochin
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
Bangalore to Kerala by train
- Bangalore to Cochin (10+ hours)
- Bangalore to Alleppey (13+ hours)
- Bangalore to Varkala (16+ hours)
Check trainman for specific train options from Bangalore.
When arriving to Cochin by train, consider this route:
- Fort Cochin
- Munnar
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
When arriving to Alleppey by train, consider this route:
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
OR
- Alleppey
- Munnar
- Fort Cochin
When arriving to Varkala by train, consider this route:
- Varkala
- Munroe Island
- Alleppey
- Munnar
- Cochin
Bangalore to Kerala flight
- Bangalore to Cochin Airport (1 hour)
- Bangalore to Trivandrum Airport (1+ hour)
Check makemytrip for specific flight options from Bangalore.
There are direct flights available from Bangalore to both Cochin and Trivandrum, and both flights are around an hour.
Fort Cochin and Alleppey are the top tourist destinations that are near the Cochin airport. If Munnar is your goal, Cochin airport would be your choice too, although it’s a bit further away.
Varkala is closest to the Trivandrum airport.
Time from Cochin Airport by taxi:
- To Fort Cochin – 1 to 1.5 hours
- To Alleppey – 2.5 hours
- To Munnar – 3.5 to 4 hours
- To Varkala – 5 hours
Time from Trivandrum Airport by taxi:
- To Varkala – 1.5 hours
- To Alleppey – 3 to 3.5 hours
When arriving to Cochin by flight, consider this route:
- Fort Cochin
- Munnar
- Alleppey
- Munroe Island
- Varkala
When arriving to Trivandrum by flight, consider this route:
- Varkala
- Munroe Island
- Alleppey
- Munnar
- Cochin
HAPPY BANGALORE TO KERALA ITINERARY PLANNING!
Best things to do in Kerala backwaters on a budget